Urge Congress to Reauthorize VAWA Today

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)âlegislation that over the past 10 years has changed the lives of victims who once suffered in silenceâis set to expire on September 30, 2005. Your help is needed to see that VAWA is renewed. Bills with strong bipartisan support in the House (H.R. 2876) and Senate (S. 1197) have been introduced, but we need grassroots advocacy to ensure that they are passed before September 30.

VAWA is landmark legislation that continues to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funding to states and communities to help the victims, to hold the offenders accountable, and to prevent such crimes in the future. VAWA 2005 would reauthorize these critical programs while responding to evolving community needs by expanding funding for local groups working with underserved communities particularly communities of color, legal immigrants, the disabled, elderly and Native Americans.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
VAWA will expire if it is not "reauthorized" by September 30, 2005. Please contact your lawmakers and ask them to support legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. CLICK HERE to send a message to your Senators and Representative.